The former Manchester United ace made his debut for Al Nassr in January 2023, and the league boss is thrilled that his signing paved the way for many other big names in world football to make the move to Saudi Arabia.

He told World Soccer magazine: “He has been very, very important.

“He was the first major signing to come to the league and paved the way for all the others.

“I grew up watching football. It was a dream for us to travel abroad and watch our favourite players play on the pitch,

“Fast-forward to where we are together, where you can go and see Ronaldo, it has been a massive transformation and I think the league has gained a lot of appeal.

“He was important from the start and continues to be important on and off the pitch.

As well as Cristiano, the league has also attracted the likes of Sadio Mane, Neymar, Aymeric Laporte and N’Golo Kante, with them all appearing happy and committed, which Murgharbel hailed as a sign of “stability”.

He added: “The players are connected with the teams and the community and are enjoying life and so are their families.

“We are keen on maintaining the players here and attracting more.”